Anne Gretchen Hazzard, 87, formerly of Katonah, former chair of the Bedford Republican Party
- Ann Marie Rezen
- May 2
- 2 min read

(Anne) Gretchen Hazzard, 87, formerly of Katonah and a chair of the Bedford Republican Party, died on March 19.
She was born in Newark, the oldest daughter of August R. Schnitzler and Anna Justine (Lackey) Schnitzler. Her family said she was a force of nature whose presence could be felt as soon as she entered a room. Her smile was electric, her laugh contagious and her energy unmatched.
While born in New Jersey, she spent most of her life in New York. As a child she split time between West Orange, N.J., and a country home in West Shokan, N.Y. It was in the Catskills that she developed her great love for animals of all kinds, her family said. She provided a home to any animal that needed medical attention or simply a family to call its own. She was also an accomplished equestrian.
She attended Cornell University where she met Robert (Bob) D. Hazzard. They married and began their family while in Ithaca. They eventually settled in Katonah, where they raised their family. Hazard volunteered with the local PTA, managed cookie sales for the local Girl Scout troop, and was active with the Katonah Beautification Society, running the Katonah Thrift Shop, and various political roles including serving as chairman of the Bedford Republican Committee.
She is survived by her sister, Karen Hitzig (Rupert)of Los Angeles, Calif., two brothers, Peter Schnitzler (Cheryl) Brielle, N.J. and Thomas Schnitzler of Napa Valley, Calif., and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 11, at 11 a.m., at Kensico Cemetery, located at 273 Lakeview Ave., Valhalla. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in her name to Rock n’ Rescue, 1 Babbitt Road, Bedford Hills, NY 10507.